Monticello,
AR., - Troy Trojan team ropers paved the way for a strong showing in the first
round of competition at the University of Arkansas-Monticello rodeo.
Freshmen Aaron Lowe and Will Bradley won the first round
with a time of 7.7 seconds, making it their first go-round win of the year in
the team roping.
Lowe and Bradley will both get 60 points for the win, and a
boost of confidence in an event that they have struggled in as of late.
“We have tried to get it done all year,” Lowe said. “We just
got all the pieces together and now we have to keep working the puzzle out and
finish what we started.”
Bradley also qualified for the championship round of
competition in the steer wrestling with a time of 7.4 seconds on is first
steer. Lowe made his presence felt in the steer wrestling as well with a time of 6.0 seconds.
Junior Andy Seiler and sophomore Mark Gentry also made
critical moves in the first round splitting second and third in the round with
a time of 7.9 seconds, just two-tenths behind their Trojan teammates.
“We were really glad to get a good run under our belt,”
Gentry said. “The team really needed the points and if you are trying to win
the region, every point counts this late in the season.”
Freshman Kindal Jumper made a good run in the barrel racing
competition with a time of 15.65 seconds, which was good enough for a first round win in the event.
Fellow Trojans qualifying for the championship round include
sophomore Clint Keller in the calf roping and team roping, Tabitha Kiker in the
team roping, Ty Ethridge in the team roping, Jackie Jacobs in the goat tying,
and Jake Thomas in the steer wrestling.
The championship round will be held at the Drew County
Fairgrounds in Monticello, Ark., on March 29 at 7:30p.m.
